Vande Bharat shifts to Sabarmati from Aug 17, gets new Ambli Road halt
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Ministry of Railways has approved a significant operational overhaul of the Ahmedabad-Okha Vande Bharat Express, shifting its terminal from Ahmedabad railway station to Sabarmati (Jail Side) station and adding the train's first-ever stop at Ambli Road railway station, effective 17 August 2026. The revised schedule applies to Train Nos. 22925 and 22926 operating between Sabarmati and Okha.
Key Changes to the Schedule
Train No. 22925 Sabarmati-Okha Vande Bharat Express will depart Sabarmati at 6:15 am daily except Tuesdays from 17 August. It will arrive at Ambli Road at 6:23 am, depart at 6:25 am, and reach Okha at 1:20 pm.
The return service, Train No. 22926 Okha-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express, will depart Okha at 4:45 pm, arrive at Ambli Road at 10:40 pm, depart at 10:42 pm, and terminate at Sabarmati at 11:10 pm. The train will continue to run six days a week, remaining off service on Tuesdays.
Why Ambli Road Gets Its First Vande Bharat Halt
Railway authorities said the new stop at Ambli Road was introduced 'keeping in view the travel requirements of passengers from Ahmedabad's fast-growing western corridor.' The station is expected to serve commuters from SG Highway, Bodakdev, Prahlad Nagar, South Bopal, Shela, and neighbouring localities — areas that have seen rapid residential and commercial expansion in recent years.
This marks the first time Ambli Road railway station will receive a halt from a Vande Bharat Express, giving western Ahmedabad direct access to the premium semi-high-speed service without travelling to the city centre.
Terminal Shift: From Ahmedabad to Sabarmati
The operational shift means the Vande Bharat Express will now originate and terminate at Sabarmati (Jail Side) station rather than the main Ahmedabad railway station. Railway officials have framed the change as a measure aimed at improving passenger convenience and overall rail connectivity in the region.
Notably, the existing timetable will remain in force until the revised schedule takes effect. The current arrangement for Train No. 22925 Ahmedabad-Okha Vande Bharat Express will continue until 15 August 2026, while the schedule for Train No. 22926 Okha-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express remains valid until 16 August 2026.
What This Means for Passengers
Passengers currently boarding from Ahmedabad railway station will need to plan their commute to Sabarmati (Jail Side) from 17 August onwards. For western Ahmedabad residents, the Ambli Road halt reduces the need to travel to either terminal, potentially cutting total journey time for a significant commuter base. The Railways has not announced any change to ticket pricing or train composition alongside this schedule revision.